United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan Remarks at the 2024 Multi-Regional Pre-Summit on Global Disabilities

Your Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Raad

Your Excellency, Secretary General Muhannad Alazzeh,

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to address you today and join so many leaders, advocates, and change-makers dedicated to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.

The rights of persons with disabilities are enshrined in international law, particularly in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the CRPD.

This landmark convention represents a powerful commitment from countries worldwide to recognize the inherent dignity, autonomy, and equality of people with disabilities.

It calls upon us to dismantle barriers, challenge discrimination, and ensure that every person has the opportunity to participate fully in society.

Global frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, are build on the CRPD’s principles, aiming to "leave no one behind."

However, translating these ideals into real progress requires not only legislative reform but also the active commitment of our societies, institutions, and communities.

In our region, Jordan has taken notable steps to promote inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. These include the country’s Law No. 20 of 2017, the National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities or on Deinstitutionalisation, the Jordan Declaration on Inclusive Education, or most recently efforts to enhance the political participation of persons with disabilities in the context of the Political Modernisation reforms.

These efforts demonstrate that meaningful change is possible through targeted policy, sustained leadership, and an inclusive approach.

Just two weeks ago, I an Early Intervention Center in Amman, where the UN, led by UNICEF, partners with the Ministry of Social Development to provide essential early detection and intervention services for children with disabilities.

It immediately became one of my most cherished moments during my time in Jordan.

Engaging with the children, who have made so much progress thanks to the hard work of therapists and their families, brought such joy.

Hearing from parents about the positive impact on their children’s lives—and understanding the challenges they face—strengthens our commitment to work with partners to realise the rights of persons with disabilities.

Our work is far from finished.

We must remember that the rights of persons with disabilities are not merely aspirations; they are binding obligations.

By strengthening our networks, sharing best practices, and prioritizing accessibility and inclusion,

we can create a world where everyone can live with dignity, contribute to their communities, and reach their full potential.

Thank you.